I have too many hobbies

The Papal paint on his face hides the nuances of his expression, but even still, Copia is the picture of devotion and it pours out from his eyes. One would think he is the one in need of absolution in the way he grips Sarah's hand and gazes longingly up to her. His lips are parted barely a centimeter. Something about the moment inspires Sarah to stand. Copia follows and they both walk to the first row of pews within reach.

They both spar with hesitant chances to talk, trading breaths before going to speak, only to quiet and turn shy.

"It feels rude to ask how you've been but—"

Copia bursts with a laugh like it was trapped inside. "I have not been great." It's creaky and uneven as he says it.

Sarah deflates. She slouches down, twiddling with her fingers in her lap. "Sorry…"

"So…" He turns to pat Sarah's knee but stops right above, centimeters from making contact. Copia glances up to her and she gives an nodded okay. "How have you been?"

She shrugs noncommittally. "I've been better." The touch of his hand on her knee has a swarm of heat flip around in her stomach.

Copia hums a surprised but agreeable breath of laughter. He turns to look forward. They both sit in the pew, silent, thinking. He can sense she needs a minute and observes the random details of the chapel. The stained glass, the lit candles, the scratched pew back in front of him. Sarah takes a deep breath.

"I take it Terzo talked to you about… this."

"He doesn't want me to stay worried and frozen, torn in the what-ifs."

"He wants his privacy back, eh?" Copia nudges her shoulder.

Sarah snorts. "Maybe that too. A little."

It feels so refreshing to laugh with him. Together like this, for even a brief moment, she forgets everything. Sarah turns to look at him, to take in everything of the man she loves and is terrified to be with again. His eyes seem more hollowed and the paint is smudged where black meets white. He must've been in the studio, she thinks, worrying over lyrics and rubbing his eyes. The black around his sockets mixes with the white to make a gray splotch.

Still no sign of his fangs.

"I'm sorry."

Sarah startles out of her stupor. "About what?"

"Everything, I guess." Copia fidgets and the pew creaks under his weight. "For what you witnessed me doing in my office... Feeding."

"I'm not sure you need to—"

"No, I want to. I wasn't quite myself for a while. I had to go on a strict feeding schedule with the ghouls."

She nods and looks down to her hands. There's another pause between them, like either one is on the precipice of something important and it terrifies them. As if on cue, Sarah and Copia turn their heads to look at the other.

"Copia?"

"Yes?" he answers immediately, pleading with his eyes for something good. He hangs onto the next words out of her mouth.

"I think—I mean I know now—that I…" Sarah feels choked up and closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, "I'd like to start again."

In that moment, Copia would swear angels—or the infernal equivalent—were singing. He feels like he needs to run? "A-are you sure?" Is he sure he heard that right?

Compelled by an unnamed desire, Sarah nods and scoots closer. She rises her hand and presses her palm to his chest, feeling the sturdy form underneath. This is the first time she's touched him since that night. Copia sneaks in to cradle her cheek and she gasps at its gentle whispered touch against her cheek; he took off his gloves and she feels his soft, cooling touch against her warm skin.

Sarah leans in. Tears well up before she knows it and they spill over. Copia's thumb brushes delicately along her cheek to wipe some away.

"I've missed you so much," she sniffles.

"Me, too," he replies in a sigh. "Every day, every second."

Sarah leans forward and Copia wraps his arms around her. He tucks her head under his chin and pets down her hair, soothing her through the tears that soak his clothes. Sarah has cried on two Papas today; that has to be a ministry record, she wonders between sobs.

As much as he would hate to admit, Copia feels like something has slot back into place with his arms around Sarah and her weight against his. Yes, she's sobbing and terrified, but he's here for her and can hold her and console her. This is everything Copia wanted and yet there is still a distance they have to work on overcoming.

"It's okay, dolcezza," he murmurs into her hair. His lips graze her hairline.

That hushed, ever-so gentle pet name almost has fresh tears falling. Sarah eventually pulls away; her eyes are red and wet, nose is boogery, but she smiles. It's small, but it's there. Copia holds down his sleeve and wipes at her nose and she thanks him with a quiet mumble.

"Would you like some company on the walk to Terzo and Amelia's?"

She's relieved to hear he's not pushing her to come home. "I think that's a good idea."

Copia grins. He stands and holds out his arm for her to loop hers through. She does, and her heart twists in her chest. Sarah looks over and Copia is already there, looking at her. He's so charming despite the paint hiding his face that it makes her ache. As the time went on, she was able to think about Copia with the new face. It isn't easy by any means, at least not yet.

But now she can bring herself to look. His green and white eyes, his smile with adorably crooked teeth, some of the cheek that lingers from before with an almost faded scar at his chin. It's all Copia. Not bad, just… different. She's starting to feel like she can get used to it.

"I'm nervous."

Copia hums as they make their way out of the chapel. "For the walk home?"

Sarah shakes her head and rolls her eyes. "For this. Whatever this… is."

"Maybe it's a new beginning? It's spring, after all. A time for rebirth." He bops Sarah's hip with his. "And I'll be there if you need me."

She tightens her arm around his. It's like a quiet "okay" between them while they walk down the halls into unfamiliar territory. A relationship like this isn't anything Sarah's ever had. Even through the worry and fear, the love she held for Copia never went away. It lingered around the edges as a vignette in an old photo.

One night, alone, on an old and lumpy couch was when Sarah had realized. The fear was so strong because she loved him so much. Seems obvious now but in hindsight, it felt like a revelation. The feeling of fear for how she felt about him was replaced with a new one nearly seconds later. Her heart raced. She had to sit up and take deep breaths.

Dread made a home at the thought that he wouldn't take her back. For him, this relationship is a drop in the bucket of his life. Who's to say he can easily kick attachments? They hadn't talked at all, nothing of importance since tonight. She'd called him Papa in the hall! He could've considered that her final decision. An impersonal title spoken between former lovers.

No.

Her fears were squashed the moment Copia opened her door in the confession booth and got on his knees. He surrendered to her at the first opportunity, hugged her tight and let her know his affection never faded.

"I guess this is where I take my leave." He gestures to Amelia and Terzo's door. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize how soon the walk would be over.

"Thank you, Copia."

He bows slightly, still holding onto her hand. Copia looks up, asking with his eyes. His thumb rubs at Sarah's knuckles and when he rises back to a standing position, Sarah nods. It's small but he catches it just in time.

Copia moves slowly, pulling her hand closer. His cool lips brush against Sarah's wrist and pauses. She sucks in a sharp breath; the touch feels foreign and familiar all at once. The blood in her veins pumps quickly beneath his lips. Copia inhales her scent, her blood. He can't control the way he shudders as he breathes out.

Then Copia lets her hand go.

Sarah's blush is obvious.

"I—um—I think I should go inside now."

"Until next time."

Next time.

She opens the door to go inside only to find Terzo on the couch with Amelia lying her head in his lap. She's sound asleep, soothed by the gentle combing of his fingers through her hair. Terzo looks up at the right time to catch Copia walking off, eyes wide at being caught.

Sarah closes the front door, quiet and without a fuss. She faces it for a moment, acutely aware that she's experiencing the same embarrassing shame she faced as a teenager when her dad caught her sneaking in after a date that went well past curfew. Deciding when it's time to face the music, Sarah turns around. Terzo isn't frowning nor is he disappointed.

He's calm. His hand brushing through Amelia's hair pauses, earning a sleepy murmur of displeasure below. Terzo returns his petting after a light tut back.

"Was confessional… enlightening?" he whispers. Sarah nods. "Good."

She's blushing deep crimson. "You can probably tell… We are seeing if I can come back to him."

"If?"

His eyebrow raise is loud.

"Um. When I can come back."

"Good." Terzo starts to move and shakes Amelia with a tender jostle. "Tesoro, we need to leave the couch."

She grumbles, "But we were here first." Her groaning only grows once she's being ushered to get up and stand.

As he guides her, Terzo curls his arm around Amelia's waist. "I'll make it worth your while, Amelia mia."

Then a ginger peck of a kiss to smooth things over and she's melted into him again.

After that fateful night, things don't return to complete normal but they don't stay the same. Sarah still sleeps at Amelia's; they've finally upgraded the couch to something more comfortable. Time seemed to pass quickly in her tenure there after a couple months of worry and fear swirled into a storm.

And then finally the clouds parted.

To know just how much turmoil Copia was going through made her see just a bit past the fog and anguish. She was like his north star, Sarah realized, and Copia was stuck, dark after that night.

Now when she sees Copia, some of those butterflies return. The sunshine on her skin feels brighter, warmer. Sarah still can't sleep through the night, though.

One afternoon a few days after the night of her confessional, Copia had to come by for a new suit fitting. Amelia wasn't there so Sarah had to do the heavy lifting while Alex filled in as her assistant. The little jabs she made to him making her do extra work were merely in jest. She didn't mean anything with actual anger behind it.

And when Copia saw Sarah staring at him in the reflection of the mirror, she thought about the very beginning. Just like that moment, her heart raced and she had to flick her eyes elsewhere. Copia caught her red-handed.

That evening, Sarah decided to stay late. She couldn't focus for a while after Copia's visit and lagged behind. Amelia said it was fine, just lock up as always. Close to midnight, her phone chimes.

The sender? Copia. He's up too.

They're trying to go slow and texting is a part of that. It's simple, no pressure communication and typically it's him sending photos of his rats who apparently miss her dearly. But now, in the late hours of the night, Copia's text is one more of concern.

—

Copia: What are you doing up so late?

—

There's a knock to the studio door. Copia waves through the window and lets himself in. Casually, he leans against the wall, arms crossed. His posture isn't angry and he only frowns. Sarah's eyes droop and he can sense a lingering exhaustion in her body she's trying to hide.

"I was about to leave."

"Likely story."

A slow grin graces his new features and Sarah bows her head, admitting a silent defeat. It takes only minutes and she's pulled into his gravity, taking his outstretched hand into hers. He's taken to removing his gloves just for her when they're alone like a little secret between them.

It shocks Sarah sometimes how easy it is to be around him again. They're not back to the level of affection as before but they know it'll get there. Sarah thought Terzo was joking when he said confession could be cathartic but maybe he was right. But every time Copia leans into her personal space, he can sense a spike of anxiety in the rapid beating of her heart. Sarah thinks he might try to kiss her. He knows that's still a long way to go, though, but perhaps she wants him to just go for it when he catches her looking at his lips.

Until he tries, it's only wishful thinking.

"May I walk you home?"

Sarah nods right away, quickly. "Please?"

Copia's features melt. His smile spreads wide and his eyes shine with nothing other than love. They don't hold hands often but tonight their bodies just seem to gravitate together. Sarah slides her palm in against Copia's and he rubs her hand with his thumb. She mirrors him a few seconds later.

"The rats miss you."

She sighs. "Tell them I'm sorry."

Copia bops her with his elbow. "They know it's only temporary."

Right?

"Maybe…"

He jerks his head to look at her. "Maybe?"

Sarah blushes and looks away. "Maybe I could see them?"

"Come by the apartment later this week?" Copia waits for her but hesitation clouds over anything she'd say. "O-or we could meet at Amelia's??

"She has a cat."

"Oh." Should he risk it? "Is the cat friendly?"

She nods.

They continue down the hall in silence.

"The practice room?"

"That sounds good."

A week later, the time to reunite arrives. Tonight Sarah gets to say hello to the rats: Rigatoni the 10th and Bella.

Things are quiet in the studio. Amelia and Sarah toil away at their machines, cleaning and servicing them. They're having a contest on who can gather the most lint.

Amelia's baking scale was brought to get an accurate measurement down to the gram.

Something breaks the spell at one point. A soft tapping to the door makes everyone look up. Copia walks in, sheepish, and greets them.

"Hello. I, eh," he glances towards Sarah and she perks up. "I have a button that fell off my shirt cuff. Could I get help sewing it back on?"

Sarah stands too fast and knocks the edge of her table. Her knee hurts and now Alex and Amelia are staring, wide-eyed, but she waves Copia closer to her table. She grabs an extra stool for him and sits back down, blushing like a fool for standing. He rolls up to her while Sarah readies a needle and thread.

Copia holds out his arm and rotates his wrist to show where a button should be. Their eyes connect and they share a quick, awkward smile.

Amelia and Alex go back to their work but keep one nosy ear open.

"This shouldn't be long," Sarah mumbles.

"T-take your time." He looks down to where her fingers graze the inside of his wrist as she brings the needle up through the fabric. The brief touch of her warmth feels like a satisfying burn. He wants to be wrapped in the heat of her body, to tuck his head into the crook of her neck and feel her fingers comb through his hair as they watch a movie on the couch.

Sarah hums and it takes him out of his daydream.

"You're staring."

"Oh." Copia flicks his eyes off to the side. "Sorry."

"S'fine." Sarah shrugs. There's a faint, knowing quirk in the corner of her lips.

Tension pulls tight between them. Every few, fleeting seconds, they catch each other staring.

"You never learned how to stitch a button back to your shirts?"

Copia glances at her as if to scold fondly. "I rarely ever needed to. It was only recently I'd been in situations where my buttons would be forced off."

"Forced?" Sarah raises her eyebrows and tilts her head. She sounds incredulous.

He smirks and leans in to whisper, "I have a very passionate, impatient, lover."

His ear so close and his breath so warm makes electricity shoots down her spine. She breathes in a deep, in and out, and asks in a small voice, "Have?"

Copia shrugs and leans back cooly. "If she doesn't mind stitching up my buttons again and again."

"Copia," Sarah scolds him back. "You really should know how to do this for yourself, though."

"You could teach me some time. Old dogs and new tricks and such."

Whatever possesses her in this moment, it emboldens her with courage she didn't know she had. Sarah sits up in her seat and looks at him, eye-to-eye. Copia matches her with a curious raise of his eyebrow.

"I could teach you."

His eyes open wide for the briefest of moments. "Yes?" Don't push it. See what happens.

"A crash course."

"Really?" It takes incredible strength to suppress the eagerness that wants to ooze out.

"Tonight, when I get to see the rats. I'll bring a small kit and show you."

Alex's steady typing slows and Amelia pretends to fiddle around with her seam ripper. They can't help but watch the soap opera in front of them.

Copia smiles sheepishly down to his lap. "I guess it's a… date."

Sarah gasps, gentle and full of surprise, and her cheeks flush. Copia's smile spreads as she nods. "It's a date."

He leaves shortly after once his cuff is ready. They part at the door and when she's alone, Sarah looks back into the studio. Her soft happy bubble is burst as she comes back to the present.

Amelia raises her eyebrows and coos, "A date!" She returns to her machine. "Will I be expecting you home late?"

Sarah responds through her embarrassment with a curt, "Yes."

Amelia snickers under her breath.

For the remainder of the day, concentration eludes Sarah. She tries with all her might but it never sticks. While Amelia and Alex wrap up their work for the day and tidy up whatever they can of their desks, Sarah is still toiling away to make sure she isn't behind. She barely hears them as they bid her goodnight.

And as the eleventh hour looms, Sarah gathers scrap fabric, needles and thread, and a handful of buttons. She puts them in a small sewing basket for her trip down to the music rehearsal room where she agreed to meet up with Copia.

This'll be the longest stretch of time she's had alone with Copia since the whole… confession happened. But underneath the anxiety, giddiness flickers weakly and tries to burn steady.

Sounds of mumbles and errant piano keys get louder with each step Sarah takes to the practice room. She doesn't notice the fond smile spreading on her face until she reaches the door. Her cheeks hurt, an ache she forgot could feel so good. Sarah smiles wider when she hears Copia talking to the rats.

"Soon, bambinos. Mama Sarah will get to hold you again, I promise."

Oh, that has her clutching her chest. He's always so soft and gentle with them. The click of the door has Copia's ear perking up to the noise. He turns on the creaking bench and one could only describe it as adoration shining in his eyes.

And then Sarah notices where the rats are. They're walking along the piano keys.

"Are you teaching them to play?"

"Hm?" He raises an eyebrow.

"The rats on the keys, Copia."

He turns back and calls out in surprise. "I've taught them everything I know."

Sarah's giggle that follows is pure music to his ears and hugs around him like a warm blanket. She sits next to him in the space he created on the bench and her basket rests on the floor by her feet. The first order of business is seeing to the adorable creatures sniffing and twitching their nose at her.

Bella squeaks at her hand as she holds it out. The black fluff ball always loves to curl up in her lap and it seems time apart hasn't let the desire fade. She runs up Sarah's arm all the way up to her shoulder. Her nose nudges at Sarah's cheek and she squeals, tickled by the fuzzy snout.

"I missed you, too, my little girl," she coos. Bella ends up in Sarah's lap, her tail curled around herself and content to stay as Sarah pets down between her ears.

Rigatoni the 10th, an angel with white and gray fur, spent the first portion of his time with Sarah just… taking it in as if he was imagining it. He even turns and squeaks to Copia.

"It's real, Tony." Copia nods towards her. "Sarah in the flesh."

Rigatoni takes it as final confirmation and jumps from the piano into Sarah's hand to plop down. He sniffs her palm and licks it once, twice. Little ratty kisses.

Copia can feel far too much emotion in Sarah's voice when she apologizes to them. She is so soft and remorseful. With a tentative hand, he rises it up to rub circles into Sarah's back. She jumps at first contact and Copia is prepared to stop but she never tells him to. She even leans into him and rests her head on the end of his shoulder.

Copia reaches over and pets Bella. She boggles slightly and he coos.

"We can do the button tutorial whenever you're ready," Sarah whispers.

"What if we skip it tonight?"

Sarah frowns. "But I brought supplies."

"I know. I saw your cute basket." Copia squeezes her shoulder and she snorts. "What shall we do about the rats?"

She straightens up and begins picking up Rigatoni but he won't budge from his spot next to Bella. They're curled around each other and determined to stay in her lap for as long as she's sitting down. In the end, they manage to make it work. The rats nap unbothered as Sarah reaches down for her notions.

Copia brings the lid down for the keys and they use it as their table. Sarah spreads out a matching set of needles, thread, buttons, fabric, and a weird plastic thing with a cut out.

"I took the liberty of preparing the thread and needle so you don't have to struggle with getting it through the eye."

He gruffs and sits up. "What makes you think I'd struggle?"

"One night you couldn't find the TV remote. It was in your lap." Sarah stares at him pointedly through her lashes and then picks up their fabric swatches.

"Yes, well they make them too small these days, eh…" He looks down at the fabric and rubs his un-gloved thumb over it. "Let's get stitching!"

He catches the silly grin and eye roll from Sarah. She demonstrates first, taking the needle and thread in one hand and holding the others in the other.

"I tend to act on the side of caution and loop my thread through the holes several times. So"—she brings the needle up through the fabric from the bottom and then down through another hole. Then repeats with the other free holes to make an X design in thread—"and I also keep the thread loose. Space is important."

She brings the needle up through the fabric at the end but doesn't pull it through a hole.

"Then when I'm done, I bring the needle up, wrap it around the thread under the button and then back down to the back. Then I tie the thread, make it secure, and cut!"

She reaches for her stork-style embroidery scissors and snips the thread with a flourish.

"And now you try, Copia."

"Seems easy enough."

Sarah nods. "And yet, many adults don't know how to do it. That's really sad, Copia."

He's taken by surprise at the end and chokes, laughing. Copia eyes her, smirks, and pushes head-first into his first attempt. Sarah grabs another button and joins him in tandem.

"Up… down… up… down…" he mumbles.

"Dammit!"

The smell hits him before he sees it.

Blood.

Sarah pulls her finger up to her mouth to clean the small bead of blood away. In the corner of her eye, she catches him stiffening up, back straight, eyes trained on her finger. He jerks his head away as Sarah turns hers to look.

His voice is strained. "I haven't had human blood in a while. It hasn't been the same since…" He tries to keep her from seeing his face, how his eyes are blown wild. Maybe they can wait it out.

"Please don't hide yourself, Copia." She presses her hand to his thigh and feels him flinch. She gives him a reassuring squeeze. "It was only a tiny prick from the needle. The blood is all gone now."

He takes a moment to center himself. Copper no longer lingers in the air and the prickly feeling down his spine subsides. Copia breathes deep, in and out, picturing the stitching sequence as he does it.

Finally, he's able to turn around. Sarah hands him back his practice swatch.

"You're almost done, Copia. I know you can finish this."

Copia takes advantage of the moment and looks at her. The usually dolled up look she wears is pulled back to something far less involved. If he had to wager a guess, all she has is eyeliner that is now mostly smudged away to go with her pulled back hair. And underneath her eyes are natural dark circles that could rival his eye paint.

He knows it's a late hour and as he realizes the time, hopes Sarah can catch some restful hours back at Amelia's. How is she sleeping, he wonders. Copia is all too familiar with Sarah's penchant for burning the midnight oil when she can't sleep, exacerbated only by the fact that he hasn't been there to keep her feeling safe. He suspects Sarah isn't using her sleeping medicine.

They're both quiet as he finishes the last couple steps of the lesson. Sarah helps to cut the thread and she smiles.

"Now you can fix your shirts when a button comes loose."

"I guess I was going to have to learn eventually. This old bat can learn new tricks!" He playfully nudges Sarah's side with his elbow.

"And this bat needs to get some sleep." As if on cue, she yawns while gathering her supplies.

They both look down to the small furry creatures snoozing away in her lap, unbothered and perfectly pleased to stay there. Copia would hate to disturb them but he's torn between them and Sarah's human needs for rest herself. Eventually they scoop the rats up as slowly and soft as possible and deposit the cozy lumps back into their little travel cage.

The walk to Amelia's is mostly silent. In one of Copia's hands is the handle to the cage; in the other, he holds Sarah's. Their fingers laced together instantly.

At the door to drop her off, they both linger, desperate to stay together for just a little bit longer and clinging to any opportunity to keep talking. Copia raises the cage so Sarah can whisper goodnight. She asks him if he's made any progress on the new songs.

And when all avenues dry up, they simply smile and look across the small distance to each other.

"I need to go inside."

"You do," he nods.

Copia blinks and the next thing he knows is Sarah is taking a deep breath before leaning in quickly to peck his cheek with her lips. The feather light contact has his old, dead heart fluttering.

"Goodnight, Copia. Thank you for letting me see the rats."

He isn't able to respond fast enough before Sarah slips inside. Copia's tongue feels like it has swelled in his mouth and every word he's ever learned flushes down the drain. All he can do is stay rooted to the ground as his arms hang loose from his shoulders. Copia's free hand rises up and he touches his cheek with his fingertips.

It's a miracle he didn't drop the cage.

On the other side of the door, Sarah is leaning against it smiling wide and giddy for such a late hour. Sleep wasn't easy as always but by the time she's settled on the couch that night she feels just a small bit at ease.

Sarah wasn't sure what to expect when she walked into the studio sans Amelia again but it wasn't a gaggle of ghouls.

"Ames isn't coming in today," Alex says from their computer without looking up.

"I know…" Sarah says, voice fading as she takes in the tableau of infernal beings in the middle of the room. "She didn't mention this, though."

"We need some alterations," Mountain chimes in.

"What kind of alterations?"

Unfortunately, they all start talking at once.

"My jacket is too snug."

"I need my pants hemmed."

"Could you make mine tighter?"

"I ripped the back seam trying out a trick in rehearsal."

Sarah's eyes open wide, un-focusing in the chaos. She blinks back to the present moment once the noise dies down.

Her things are dropped to her desk.

"Let's start with the pants that need to be hemmed."

Aurora celebrates and steps up to the small platform in front of the tri-fold mirror. Sarah readies her wrist pin cushion and kneels down to fold up the excess fabric. The ghoulette smiles down at her, quiet and calm. She can tell something seems different about Sarah.

"Do you love pinning fabric?"

"Hm?" She flicks her attention up. "What makes you say that?"

"The little smile on your face."

Oh. Her cheeks flush pink. It was Copia that was on her mind. Simple things like hems make her mind wander and in that process, she'd drifted off to Copia. She remembered hearing him talk about the ghoul outfits, how he wanted them to have a certain gravitas on stage with him.

"I want them to look imposing. Like my own infernal army!" He posed like a bodybuilder.

Sarah had to place her bookmark to keep from losing her spot. She was being distracted by an excited Copia. He'd been detailing the new ideas in a puppy-like huff, eyes wide and a smile all the same. His fangs were sticking out as they always do, accentuating his crooked smile.

She kissed him silent moments later. Copia made a sharp surprised sound but melted into her only seconds later.

"I get it, amore," he hummed. "I'll leave you to your book."

"I love hearing about your ideas, Copia, really, but the story is really juicy right now."

Copia smiled, soft and adoring. "Tell me all about it afterwards."

It was a fond moment long before everything went topsy-turvy, one Sarah thinks of when she works on the new costumes. And for once, it doesn't come with a wince or a funky churn in her stomach.

Thankfully, Aurora doesn't press. She lets Sarah be. For now.

The other ghouls that needed small changes came to the stand one by one. They'd talk about random things, joke around, or their plans later but every time band related things came up, Copia's name came with a small teasing lilt.

"He seems less burdened lately," Mountain says. "I guess we have you to think for that?"

"Me?"

Dew, from the back of the room as he lounges longways in the couch, chimes in to complain. "He talks constantly. Ever since you had the courage to hold his hand," he gasps. It drips in sarcasm.

"Really?" Sarah asks.

"Yes. It's annoying."

She has trouble grabbing a pin and keeping it in her fingers. A small flutter of nerves churns in her stomach.

He talks about me. I still make Copia happy!

It's hard to remember how much time has passed since Sarah took up residency at Amelia and Terzo's couch. Somewhere in the back of her mind this morning, wrapped in warmth and softness, she thinks she's with Copia again. The weight of the blanket over her feels like his arm wrapped tight around her waist and everything else has been a very vivid dream.

As the cold reality sets in when Sarah opens her eyes, pangs of sadness ache in her chest. She can only think of one thing: Copia. To be near him, to touch him and see the handsome grin he shines at her in return when she kisses him first thing in thr morning. His new face makes him appear a bit more smooth and enchanting but she can't imagine the full look without his fangs.

She's now determined to find out.

Sarah wracks her brain for how to tell Copia the news. She can't simply just show up at his door, bag in hand. She owes him a big, fat apology. When Amelia heard the news after asking why Sarah looked so happy, she nearly jumped for joy. Happiness filled the apartment in bundles and Amelia felt flashbacks to her own tearful reunion with Terzo.

On the other end of the property, Terzo feels bright, ticklish sparks from his ring. He smiles and brings it up for a kiss.

"Let me handle it, dear," Amelia said. "If you don't mind."

"No, no, I could use your help." Sarah takes her hand and squeezes it. "I want it to be special."

Meet me tonight in the garden.

Copia flips over the note card on his desk, delivered wordlessly one morning. He taps the edge of it to the table as he thinks. The only other thing on the card was a time, nothing else. It's in Sarah's scrawled handwriting, this he knows, but everything else?

Nothing.

He has a reason to be optimistic. Things have felt downright normal between them and Copia feels like it could be any day now that he gets to finally take her home, to kiss her lips—hell—to hold her close for more than a few minutes! Every time they have to part ways, he has to fight against his desire to pull Sarah back and overwhelm her with his smooth moves.

He's been practicing new ones in the meantime, much to the ghouls' chagrin.

Normally, Copia could use the work of being a Papa or band things as a distraction but he's been ordered to take a break. It came as a shocking revelation when Sister Imperator came by yesterday.

"I heard you've been… busy. Stop that. You'll burn out."

What else was he supposed to do? Up until this point he was urged to work work work.

None of his normal distractions are helping. He's played through several of his games, watched his movie collection at least twice, and actually went down to the library to look at books that sounded interesting. Ultimately he left without anything.

He thinks about going into town to visit Marge but it's far too sunny even if he took his parasol for protection.

The day passes as slow as cold molasses for the both of them.

Sarah remembers the reality of this evening every time she checks her phone and thinks maybe if she hides under the blankets, the clock will move faster. A watched pot never boils etcetera and so on.

Amelia is helping with the dinner. Her and Terzo offered to have everything covered so Sarah could focus on herself and what she'll say. There's a notepad on the coffee table with her scribbles. The very simple thing she wants to say seems to be hard to articulate when Sarah tries to get it on paper.

I want to come home. I miss you.

That should be it, right? But she wants to talk first and ask him how he feels. He's owed that much.

Amelia comes home to a large lump on the couch with only a face sticking out. Its somber, downright stoic expression has her giggling.

"Get up, Sarah."

"Do I have to?"

"If you want to see your boyfriend, you do."

It's time.

Sarah showers and then as she gets ready, Amelia does her hair. It isn't anything too fancy; she only makes sure Sarah's loose, natural curls are neat and pulled back to show her round face. Sarah's hands shake at the counter. She's staring over her outfit, scrutinizing and second guessing. Knowing Copia, she could show up in sweat pants and a wrinkled t-shirt and he'd still caress the curve of her hips, squeeze her softness, and call her beautiful.

And she knows she'd still blush all the same if he punctuates it with a kiss.

Her dark green dress with bishop sleeves is casual and dressed up enough to work. The delicate necklace he got her with the cathedral window pendant sits just right above her chest. She slips on ankle boots and takes a few deep breaths in the mirror. Amelia places her hands on Sarah's shoulders and gives them a squeeze before they're off and out the door.

"You're going to be fine, Sarah. Just remember he loves you."

"Oh, is it that easy, now?"

Amelia chuckles. "No."

"How did you feel when you and Terzo got back together?"

Amelia sighs. "I was just as terrified."

"How did you know he would forgive you?"

"I had to trust him. I had to believe he was telling the truth even when my thoughts tried to say I wasn't actually good enough for him. Terzo was Papa but he's also just a man who often felt lost and alone. Our history made him trust me. I'd always been his lighthouse and then made the foolish choice to leave him in the dark."

"How poetic," she laughs.

Amelia winks. "Maybe he's rubbing off on me."

They're the last to arrive to the garden. Terzo and Copia are already standing at the stairs by the gazebo chatting with their backs to the path behind them. Then Copia turned at the sign of Sarah's scent floating to his senses. He could almost taste the anticipation on his tongue.

"Sarah…" he breathes. Sarah's hand falls gingerly in his outstretched one and he carries it up to his lips to kiss her knuckles. "It's a pleasure."

She flusters like a lovesick teenager. Her free hand rises to cover her mouth as she blushes. Copia keeps his hold on her as they step up to their table. Warm twinkle lights dazzle around them. They shine in her eyes and Copia could kiss her right there. It feels like a wedding with how they're all staged and he can almost hear bells in the background.

Terzo gestures to their chairs. "Please sit, you two. Dinner will be served in a moment."

Copia and Sarah are left alone after that. Amelia looped her arm around Terzo's and they strolled off like they had their own cozy date to get to. As their food is brought out by a ghoul, neither of them have said a word, too nervous and scared to pop the bubble.

Copia decides to make the first move.

"I never thought the clock would move fast enough."

"Neither did I." She laughs and flicks her eyes up to him. "You look good, too. Your, um, outfit."

"You're too kind," he simpers.

He really does look good, though. Copia went without his paints of any kind. His bare face looks back at her, wrinkles and all and she couldn't be any more drawn in. His pants and shirt aren't anything special but his jacket is one of the newer ones with frayed edges she had a hand in making. Sarah takes him all in and feels herself getting warm at the way the jacket makes her want to grab his waist where it contours in.

Copia keeps his eyes on her until she looks back into them. Sarah blushes deeper red, caught staring. He winks and smirks.

They both agree to wait for any important conversations until after eating. Until then it's light and easygoing. They share an ice cream topped slice of brownie for desert. Copia holds up his spoon for Sarah and she scoots her chair around the table to be closer, now next to him instead of across the table. He holds her chin in place and slips the spoon past her lips. She delights at the flavors, how the chilled ice cream mixes with the arm gooey brownie.

Copia feeds her another spoon just to hear the small, satisfied sound again. He wants to commit it to memory. He also wants to know what a kiss would taste like from her lips right now.

But like all things, they come to an end. Their food is finished, the table is cleared, and now it's just them and the crickets chirping in the background with the wind chimes. Sarah lays her hand on his where it rests on his knee.

"Do you want to talk now?"

"It depends on the outcome."

Sarah assures him, "You'll like it. I promise."

Copia nods and then stands up from his chair. "Then let's go for a walk."

He holds out his hand and being the gentleman he is, held up his arm for her to take as she stepped down the short stairs to him. Sarah laughs, breathy and playfully overwhelmed.

"I wasn't in any danger, Copia."

"Let me be chivalrous, okay?"

She rolls her eyes with a grin. "I guess I can allow it."

They take a turn out from the scenery by the gazebo and start down a lit path of hedges as high as walls. Their arms remain intertwined.

"So, the reason I called you here."

"Yes?" Copia turns to her.

"I"—her lips twitch up at the corner—"want to come home."

She can feel a backwards tugging on her arm and stops to look at what it is. Copia stands there on the cobblestone path, frozen. His mouth is open barely a centimeter and he only looks at Sarah like she's his only reason for living. Perhaps she is his purpose, the calm in the storm.

"Copia?" Sarah raises her eyebrow.

"Say it again."

She comes closer, smiling, coy. Her hand rises to cradle his jaw. "I want to come back, love."

Copia's sigh that follows is deep. Relief floods his body. He closes his eyes and savors the soft touch of her hand, the delicate brush of her thumb over his cheek. In the next second, he acts on instinct. Copia pulls Sarah close for a deep hug. He squeezes her tight, nestling her face into the crook of his neck, his palm coming up to cover the back of her head to keep her there. Just for a moment.

Sarah hugs him back and breathes in deep. The subtle, spicy scent of his cologne centers her down to her soul.

Once they pull apart, Copia grins wide. "Did you notice where we stopped?" A quick glance sideways has Sarah following.

"Our bench." It makes her smile.

Wordlessly and with only a simple look, they move to sit. They're right next to each other and Copia wraps his arm around her shoulders. Sarah's hand falls to rest over his thigh.

"I had a lot of time to think." She leans her head on him.

Copia kisses the top of her head and smooths down her hair. "And?"

"There was so much that changed and everyone just… adjusted immediately. I felt like I was going crazy because I wasn't doing the same. And—and then—I couldn't look at you. I felt awful, Copia." She sits up and turns to him, pleading. "I could close my eyes and hear you or feel you but I couldn't see you. The changes are subtle, sure, but enough all at once to make me feel like I couldn't trust myself, that I couldn't trust what I knew to be true.

"And then I left you and it broke my fucking heart. I was torn; I couldn't be with the person who made me happy because they were the reason for my anxiety."

Copia takes her hand tight in his own. "I'm sorry, Sarah."

She shakes her head. "It's not your fault, it was all me. The reason I felt off is because I never got to say goodbye. To the apartment, to your face had I known there was a chance you could've changed in the ascension ritual that night.

"I should've told you about that. I didn't think it would be a big deal." He scoffs and shakes his head.

"I'm sorry I screamed when I woke up. That wasn't okay."

"I wasn't expecting the new apartment to be ready that quickly either." He rubs his thumb over the back of her hand. "The adjustment was hard for me too. I'd look in the mirror and forget I didn't have a mustache to re-shape."

"I'm sure your facial hair horrors were just as bad as me losing my mind," she scoffs.

"Shit. I didn't mean it that way, dolcezza. I"—he sputters for words—"So much of my life I've had the same face, the same general look. I could shave in my sleep and then I'd look in the mirror and have to remember repeatedly that things were different. My whole body changed. I needed new clothes, my fangs shot back up in my gums from stress. Feedings got hard because human blood started tasting rotten on my tongue and I'd just throw it back up."

Sarah furrows her brows. "Oh, Copia! I'm sorry."

"Ghoul blood became the only thing that could keep me from snapping at everyone."

"I had a nasty feeling in my stomach when I saw that." She looks down at her lap, ashamed. "Somewhere inside I was jealous. I always thought I'd be the only one you drank from."

"If it's any consolation, ghoul blood tastes disgusting."

Sarah snorts and shrugs. "Maybe?"

Copia grins. "Their blood sustains me longer than a human's. I've only ever used it in emergencies."

Emergencies. Sarah repeats it in her head. I caused that.

The conversation falls to a comfortable silence after that. Neither one can think of what to say but maybe they don't need to. Copia settles his arm lower around her waist and Sarah cuddles closer. She keeps her palm over his chest and closes her eyes.

Under the stars, surrounded by string lights and Copia's presence, Sarah can finally relax. It's not until she blinks her eyes open and feels him lifting her chin up that she notices she was starting to fall asleep. It was so easy to melt. She flashes him a lazy smile and he returns with one.

"Take me home, Copia."

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear that."

Sarah and Copia walk arm-in-arm back inside the ministry. He leads the way and she simply follows. At the hall where they would've taken a right, Copia pulls them to the left. Sarah hums a curious note. The hall feels familiar, though. Like a distant memory.

She's shocked straight up soon enough.

In front of them is the door to his cardinal apartment. Copia unlocks it and the door opens slowly, creaking at the hinges.

He gestures forward. "Shall we?"

"Co—"

"You said you didn't get to say goodbye. Let's."

"O-okay?"

Everything is covered in white cloth like she's seen in movies. Anything that hasn't been moved to the new place sits suspended in time. They look around at the old furniture before Copia lifts the white cloth from the old couch to sit. He pats the cushion next to him and smiles. Sarah comes to his side, bending her leg back to sit on her foot and lets the other leg hang off the couch.

Her elbow presses to the back cushion and then props up her head on her hand. "A lot of fun memories on this couch." The other rubs fondly on the worn material.

"Some good ones back in the bedroom, too." Copia smirks and raises his eyebrows up twice.

"Copia," chides Sarah. She tilts her head in disbelief.

"What?" feigning innocence, "I meant all of the funny movies we watched! What were you thinking of, hm?"

Sarah scoffs a high note and sits up. "Don't turn this around on me!"

"Naughty, naughty girl…" He wags his finger and pretends to feel hurt when she swats lightly at his arm.

"Oh my god, Copia."

They both begin to laugh softly, leaning into the other and Copia concedes shortly after.

But, god, her laugh. Her unabashed smile. Her face scrunches up when it's a deep laugh and her cheeks get really pink. To have the privilege of seeing it? Copia could swoon. He's spent so much time alone hoping for a mere crumb of her. Now he has a feast!

Right now the apple of her cheek looks too damn enticing and he remembers the sneaky kiss Sarah gave him some time ago. With the intention of paying it back, he starts to lean in, angling to press against Sarah's cheek as she recovers from her laughter. Inches away, she's still none the wiser.

But then Sarah turns to give her attention back at Copia and it's right as he would've landed on her cheek with his lips.

It wasn't her cheek he kissed.

It was her lips.

They both freeze with wide eyes. Copia pulls back to apologize, to explain, but anything he might've needed is superfluous. Sarah grabs him by his head and brings them back together for a proper, deep kiss. Her blood rushes in her veins; she feels alive. Copia circles his arms around her waist and Sarah wraps hers around his neck locking them together.

The kiss turns from an already passionate affair to something bigger and brighter. Sarah hums and her shoulders relax. Her spot is too far and she's growing tired of overextending herself. She breaks the kiss to catch a breath or two and they both take in the other's disheveled look.

She bites her lip and downright ogles Copia.

Copia whimpers a confused note. "Sarah—"

She practically launches herself to straddle his lap and whines into his mouth as they lock lips again.

"Shit, I missed you so much, Copia. I'm never leaving you never ever again."

Copia dares to nibble at her lower lip when he starts a sloppy trail of kisses down along her jaw to the divine scent in her neck. She's shaking and Copia cups her cheek and rubs his thumb along the top curve, slow, delicate. He savors the touch.

"I was so stupid, Copia."

"Shhh, amore—" He shakes his head in her neck.

"It's you. It's always been you and I just couldn't see past my own—ah!" she gasps, ragged.

Copia bit just enough around a sweet spot on her neck and licks after. It wasn't enough to draw blood but he knows he'll see indents from his teeth if he leans back. Sarah tries to babble her emotions out but Copia drags his thumb over her lips to still them. He leans away to look straight into her eyes.

"It hurt when you left, Sarah. Like the worst days of my life all rolled into one and I was so angry—"

"I'm sor—"

"Ah, ah. Let me finish." He kisses her. It's quick but reassuring. "But in all of this, you said you'd come back. I never for one second thought the love you had for me was completely gone. I had to hold onto it in my darkest moments. I've spent hundreds of years waiting for you to show up in my life and I was ready to wait another hundred for you to come back."

Copia leans in with all his might and gives Sarah a kiss she would've had to sit down for if she wasn't already. It knocks the wind from her lungs and she can only think to kiss back. Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, she whispers "I love you" to his lips. Once Copia lets her have a moment to breathe, he leans his forehead into hers and closes his eyes.

"Change is hard but it has to happen eventually and it doesn’t always come with a warning. Take it from me; I've been there and got the t-shirt to prove it. You see how I am with computers, eh?" A wry smirk twitches up one side of his lips. When he notices Sarah's wobbly attempt to keep from laughing, he feels like he's won something small.

"Copia," Sarah chides.

"What? You know I get frustrated with newer ones but what do I do?"

Her brows knit together. "You complain."

"But I still persevere."

She snorts and falls into Copia to hug him. Her head rests in the crook of his neck and they settle together in the quiet of their old home. Her hair is let loose after Copia picked out the two clips Amelia put in earlier and he combs down her dark tresses with his fingers. Her weight in his lap keeps him grounded and her scent floats around him like the most perfect perfume. He's wrapped in all of his senses of Sarah and it couldn't be more perfect.

Copia sighs and she readjusts. "You smell so good. Especially earlier when I was right at your neck." His palms trail up under the hem of her dress to keep hold around her thighs.

"You could, you know… I mean I'm fine if—"

"What?"

"Would you want a sip?" Her tone turns hesitant but curious at the end. She raises an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

Sarah shifts to sit up. She reaches down and grabs one of his hands to hold. "Think of it like an apology for how I made feedings so awful. I know you liked my blood the most."

She's proud and Copia smiles. "You really mean that? It'll hurt before it gets better, remember?"

She nods. She means it. "Please."

Maybe she can understand the pain he felt when his fangs pierce her skin. She expected him to yell, to scream, to make her feel the worthlessness she felt herself at leaving him and especially after hearing he got angry. Sarah holds him and leans against his forehead.

"Please, please, please…" she whispers, begging.

She trembles in Copia's lap. He can hear the erratic thumping of her heart. Copia pulls away and scans over Sarah's face. Her lower lip wobbles, her eyebrows are pulled tight to the middle.

"Do you think you need to be punished, Sarah? Will giving me your blood be the penance you desire?"

"Yes." Sarah's face twists.

"Look at me." Copia holds her up. "Any… anger I felt towards you was anger for myself. I messed up not telling you about the ritual and I could've fought to stay here for a while before moving into the new place."

He leans in and kisses her deep. It's another one for the ages, keeping Sarah from saying anything until she's panting and gasping for air as her throat burns.

But still, she grasps for something. "Co—"

"If I drink from you, it's because I'm not upset and that I love you." He kisses her softly and repeats those three words all the way down to the soft column of her neck. At the sweet scent of Sarah's blood pumping in her veins, he revels at the feeling of his fangs finally coming out. Copia grazes the sharp tips along the crook of her neck just to tease.

Chills trickle up her spine. It feels like coming home.

One last time, Copia whispers under her ear, "I love you, Sarah," and kisses her neck right before he opens his mouth wide to bite.

Sarah's blood flows onto his tongue like the smoothest most decadent wine he's ever drank. It's intoxicating right away and his head spins. Copia groans as warmth spreads through him. He pulls her tight with no intention of letting go and Sarah's shaky hand threads up through his hair to keep him there.

The sharp pain in her neck was the most sobering thing she's felt for months. The antivenom that follows after the bite spreads a delicious pleasure through her body. It overrides all the pain she's felt and she falls limp in his arms. The fight has left.

As stars start to dot her vision, she decides not to mention it. Instead, she murmurs a faint, garbled, "More."

She's gasping his name, repeating it like a reverent prayer. It's the last thing she remembers before everything goes dark and quiet in her head.

Pain throbs in her neck. It pulses, dull but still there as a stark reminder. It hurts to even move her eyes. Sarah grumbles but for the first time in a long time, two lips reach down and kiss her forehead. She opens her eyes, wincing, and finds she's held tight by Copia in bed, tucked under his chin.

"Good morning, amore."

Sarah blinks a few times. She's not certain this isn't just a dream. "What—?"

"Do you remember anything from last night?"

"I might've passed out?"

Copia smirks. "I drank too much." He rubs her lower back.

She closes her eyes and grimaces as she chuckles. "We've come full circle, hm?"

"We sure have," he laughs, too, and rolls into his back. Sarah stays on her side watching, admiring.

"I dreamt of you."

"Oh?" Copia raises an eyebrow.

"You. This face, your smile…" She trails her finger along his cheek and goes in for a kiss. "I'm not sure if I won't ever dream of your former face but I think when I wake up, I won't freak out."

"Like seeing an old friend?"

Sarah grins softly. "Yeah, maybe."

"Do you… not like my new face?" He's nervous. Insecurity weighs him down. In his more insecure moments during the separation, he thought he looked ugly.

"I do! Oh, Copia I will never think of you as not handsome. But your old look was so dashing and mysterious; it worked for you as a vampire. The new version of you is still sexy and you look so cute. You're charming, like a leader and still almost puppy-ish all together. I just want to swoon." Sarah leans in to kiss him just because she can and he grins against her lips.

"Do I look younger?"

She smiles, raking her gaze around his face. "Mhm. You don't look a day over five-hundred," Sarah teases.

"What about these babies, eh?" Copia flashes a wide smile back. His fangs are proudly displayed and she really does swoon in that moment.

"Well now you're extra sexy."

The old bedroom then fills with happy squeals. Sarah is pulled close and rolled onto her back as Copia looms above, smarmy and a twinkle of playfulness in his eyes. Then he descends and presses kisses to her cheeks, forehead, tip of her nose, and then finally to her lips. He moves slow and languid. Every intention right now is to savor this moment as Sarah wraps her arms around him with a hum.

She pulls him close until he's flush with her body between her spread legs. Even as dull pain pulses from her neck bite from the night before, she's totally and completely content. Finally being able to sleep through the night can work wonders. Though the handsome vampire who loves her and is now kissing her can also easily boost her mood.

Sarah's fingers card through his messy waves. Copia pulls away from the kiss to lean his head back into her grasp on his brown-gray locks. The smile on his face is downright dopey as he feels the love-drunk buzz through his body. Sarah looks up to him with half-closed eyes, soft and fond.

Copia falls to rest his head over her chest. He curls his arm underneath her waist with one and rises up to cup the side of her neck that isn't bandaged. The steady thump of Sarah's heart is sweet music while she falls back into a brief nap. The weight of Copia and the plush comforter over her was a perfect storm of comfort.

Eventually Sarah wakes back up and they need to leave for their new home. As Sarah stands at the door, facing the old apartment, Copia comes up behind and circles his arms around her middle. His chin drops to her shoulder.

"One last goodbye," Copia murmurs. "It was a great little home."

"Is another cardinal going to move in one day?"

"I'm not sure. Sister hasn't told me anything."

Sarah hums to herself.

On their way back home, Terzo catches Copia and Sarah having a moment at the door as he's dashing out a couple apartments down to get something for Amelia.

"Hey, get a room, will you!"

Sarah hides her cheesy grin in Copia's neck, snorting a laugh at getting caught.

"We're in love," Copia drolls. "Get over it."

But Terzo can see the tiny smile threatening to surface in the stern expression on Copia's face. He only huffs, amused, and walks off.

"Copia!" she whisper yells, scolding him.

He ignores it in favor of unlocking the door. Sarah freezes across the threshold and watches Copia walk around, back to the bedroom. He pops his head out once he realizes he's alone and tilts his head, curious.

"Are you waiting to be invited in?" He smirks.

Sarah's mouth runs dry and she fidgets her fingers together. "I just realized. The last time I was here—"

Copia is at the door, immediately, cradling her close. He wipes away the lone tear that spills from her eyes.

"Focus on my voice, hm? You're okay, Sarah."

"The tension from that night… It all flooded back. I thought I was done." She's wrapped tight against him and buries her face against his chest. "When will the guilt end, Copia? It hurts."

Ugly, choked sobs spill out, soaking into Copia's shirt. He scrambles as Sarah struggles to stay on her feet. The exhaustion that weighed her down struck its final blow. Copia gets her to bed and lays her down gently. He dotes, cooing that everything is alright as he works to make her comfortable.

Thry need to make new memories at the door. Happy, wonderful things to drown out the worst moment for the both of them as a couple.

When Sarah comes-to, she's cuddled to his chest in bed. Copia changed her into soft, clean pajamas from the dress she still had on from last night.

"I'm not sure what came over me."

"That's okay."

"You promise you're not mad?"

"We've been over this several times, amore."

Sarah sighs, "I know."

Copia rubs up her back, moving up to give a small massage to the base of her skull. Sarah nearly purrs into him, relaxing against his chest the longer he goes on. When her stomach decides to grumble and remind them that she does in fact need food every now and then, Copia slips out to heat up something while she lies in bed. Sarah sends Amelia a quick text as an update and gets a purple heart emoji in return.

—

Amelia: Terzo also says to "hang in there" and "These things take time but you have a great partner for it."

—

Right then, Copia comes back with a plate, a glass of water, and a napkin on a tray.

"White sauce pizza from Mama Isabella's—she sends her love by the way—and their parmesan knots."

Sarah is gobsmacked. "You just happened to have my favorites on hand?"

"I might've maybe prepared yesterday before dinner perhaps," he blushes, scratching behind his head.

Overwhelmed with the only emotion she can describe as pure love, she begins to tear up. Copia rushes to her side in bed fearful and concerned. He searches over her face, hears out for a quick heartbeat or something. All he hears is steady heartbeats and calm breaths.

"I love you so much, Copia." She turns her attention from the food to him and kisses the dumb look from his face. "Grab a blood bag, Copia. Let's eat."

"Really? You don't normally let me drink in bed."

She giggles and shrugs. "I'm too happy to care right now."

Copia's wide, toothy grin shines bright. His fangs nearly sparkle and he rushes to the fridge for any bag on hand and gets back in bed in record time. He knocks the bag against her glass of water.

"Cheers."

"Saluti!"

They eat together and Copia eagerly accepts a tasty parmesan knot from Sarah. He offers some blood in return, chuckling as Sarah scrunches up her face.

"Hard pass, honey."

He hums, delighted nonetheless and incredibly endeared. Soon, she'll devour a blood bag the same way she takes on her favorite dessert.

After lunch, happy and fed and feeling miles better than she was earlier, Copia lets her grab a shower first. He checks her bite wound and it's mostly healed over save for a small purple-yellow splotch. She puts her pajamas back on and peruses the new apartment while Copia showered after her.

The usual trinkets from the old place are still on display, sprinkled throughout the new bookshelves, tables, and the fireplace mantle. Things don't appear to have been used or moved around since they were placed. There's even some dust collected in some spots from the lack of use. Only the bedroom looks genuinely lived in with rumpled sheets and old clothes strewn about.

Something Sarah hadn't noticed until now was the little plushie cardinal of himself she made him and how it's sitting on his nightstand. The bed frame creaks slightly under her as she sits on the mattress, holding the old Christmas gift. It smells like him, his cologne and body wash all in one.

Then the bathroom door opens. Copia walks out fresh-faced, damp hair and a towel tied around his waist. It's quick, but he notices the way her blood rushed in her veins and the flush to her cheeks. She eyes him up and down and if he puffs up his chest just slightly, he'll deny it.

But then he notices the plushie and quirks his lips up into a quick grimace.

Copia points at it. "He kept me company."

"Really?"

"I ended up with a new routine when I'd come home at the end of the day. Shower and wallow in my own self pity until it was time to get up. Rinse and repeat," he sighs. Drawers open and close. He dresses quickly into a t-shirt and sweats. "I forgot how to be alone."

Something twists in Sarah's chest. "You don't have to be anymore."

"Yeah?" He sends her a lopsided grin.

A hum comes from the back of her throat and Copia drapes his arms on her shoulders. He's in her space now at the side of the bed and she opens her legs to have him closer. "You're going to have to work hard to get rid of me now."

Against her lips, he murmurs low, "No complaints here."

They kiss. It's light and sweet.

Copia kisses her a little deeper then, and pulls away only to have Sarah following him for more. He kisses the tip of her nose and chuckles and says they have something important to do. For a few minutes, she's alone in bed but hears the soft cooing from Copia at the cage. He's talking low to Bella and Rigatoni, excited to have a "family cuddle" again. The rats seem to squeak excitedly as if they know what he's saying.

"Come here, my babies. Oh, I missed you so much," Sarah coos. Copia drops one in her lap and then the other for him to slip into bed after and join in on the fun. She takes turns scritching through their ears and bringing them up one after the other to lay down a sweet smooch to the tops of their heads.

Copia could weep, it's so cute. They turn on a movie and cuddle together, the four of them bundled in bed as it was always meant to be. Something has slotted back into place and they both seem to come to the same conclusion as Sarah fits right against Copia's side to rest her head on his chest.

Guards down, hearts exposed.